Photo Release

October 1, 2024

Programang Punla para sa Medisina: Senior Vice Chair for Finance Senator Pia S. Cayetano attended the Ceremonial Awarding of Seed Fund Grants (Cycle 4) for the Doctor of Medicine Program held at the Senate of the Philippines on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

The event saw the awarding of grants to seven state universities to support their Doctor of Medicine programs under CHED's "Programang Punla para sa Medisina."

Funded since 2021 through the initiative of Senator Pia Cayetano, with the support of then Finance Chairperson and now Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the program aims to increase the number of medical State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), which were only 8 at the time. It was also launched in anticipation of the increased demand for medical education following the passage of the Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act, authored by Sen. Joel Villanueva, and co-sponsored by Sen. Cayetano.

The funding ensures that students are equipped with learning experiences that help them develop and hone the necessary skills and talents to establish themselves as professionals in their chosen careers in medicine and health for the future.

Universities set to receive funding include Bulacan State University, Cebu Normal University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Samar State University, University of Northern Philippines, University of the Philippines Manila-School of Health Sciences (Palo, Leyte), and West Visayas State University. (Office of Senator Pia S. Cayetano / Jansen Romero)

Photos